The 2020 Big Spring/UT Extension Greene County Master Gardener classes begin on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 and continue through April 16, 2020 (there are snow dates built into this schedule). Sessions are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., at the Greene County UT Extension Office. The fee for the program is $175.00, which includes an extensive Master Gardener Handbook, official name badge, hand lens, and other related materials. Individuals applying and submitting payment by October 31, 2019 receive a 20% discount, bringing the registration fee to $140.00. The total registration cost will resume $175.00 on November 1st, so register early!
Tennessee Master Gardeners (TMG's) are trained volunteers who help the UT Extension Office provide information and educate the public in home horticulture. Prospective TMG’s attend 40 hours of horticultural classes and are required to volunteer 40 hours of community service the first year (25 hours community service and eight hours of continuing education (CEU's) every year thereafter) through the Extension Office to complete their training. The University of Tennessee sponsors the Tennessee Master Gardener Program. The main goal of the Master Gardener program is to enhance the availability of horticultural information and to improve the quality of life within community gardens and landscapes through educational programs. These volunteers aid the UT Extension Office by managing the Master Gardener lab (help desk) located at the UT Extension Office. They provide requests for UT horticultural information; establish and maintain demonstration gardens throughout the county; and design and implement community involvement projects. They also coordinate educational Master Gardener programs for the public on various horticultural related topics. Programs the Big Spring Master Gardeners are currently involved with include the Boys and Girls Club Demonstration Garden, New Hope Cemetery Restoration and Landscape Project, and the Tabernacle Mission Soup Kitchen Demonstration Garden located at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church. They also participate in the local county fair, Tennessee Home Garden Variety trials, Kid’s Day on the Farm, and various venues throughout the county promoting horticulture projects. They planted a blueberry variety trial, in conjunction with a research trial vegetable garden at Greeneville’s UT Research and Education Center earlier this spring. They attend various educational demonstrations and conferences throughout the year to facilitate individual leadership growth and enhance the educational experience for the overall organization. Applications, as well as a class schedule can be picked up at the UT Extension Office or printed from the website below. Applications and full payment accepted through February 1, 2020, upon acceptance into class (don’t forget the Early Bird deal by October 31, 2020)! Contact Melody Rose, Master Gardener Coordinator/UT Extension Agent, at (423) 798-1710 for additional information or visit the Big Spring Master Gardener website at: https://www.bsmga.com/2020-master-gardener-training.html
The Big Spring Master Gardeners are selling produce from their trial garden this summer! There are 18 different heirloom beans available, as well as various tomato, pepper, squash and cucumbers!
Master Gardeners will be on site at the Research and Education this Saturday, August 3rd at 10:00 AM if you are interested in trying some old favorites, as well as some new varieties not yet released to the public. Come see us at the REC! Look for Beth, Joe, and Ron! 2255 E. Allens Bridge Road Greeneville... 
Join the Big Spring Master Gardeners on Friday, August 16th from 6:00-8:00 PM for an evening of live music, wine-sippin’, and strolling through the bountiful gardens at the Tabernacle Mission Soup Kitchen. ..715 Wesley Avenue. The basic purpose of Empty Bowls is to raise money for our local soup kitchen demonstration garden at the Tabernacle Mission Soup Kitchen. Empty Bowls is so much more than collecting checks and tallying up totals. Empty Bowls creates and strengthens our community, supports our local artists, celebrates delicious food and beautiful pottery, and educates people about hunger and poverty. So join with us in empowering our community...EMPTY BOWL Fundrasier Select a bowl, fill it up with local yummies, and stroll through the garden...all for $35.00 Purchase tickets HERE or contact a Big Spring Master Gardener… 
A Basic Beekeeping Workshop will be offered on Thursday and Friday, August 1-2, 2019 at the Greene County Extension Office!
Class times are 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM both days. Learn all the basics of starting your own hives! Cost per person is $100.00. Online registration only! Read HERE for more information!  The USDA published its annual Prospective Planting Report, and the estimates for tobacco plantings in the United States are disturbing. Based on surveys of farmers conducted during the first two weeks of March, the report projects that tobacco plantings of all types in 2019 are expected to total 244,040 acres, down 16 percent from 2018. If realized, this would be the lowest tobacco acres harvested on record.
For the individual types:
 The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture will present its Organic Crops Field Tour on Thursday, April 25. This spring event will equip home and commercial growers alike with tips and resources for planting, harvesting and processing organic fruits and vegetables.
Steven Hopp, founder and director of the Meadowview Farmers’ Guild and Harvest Table Restaurant, will be the keynote speaker. Steven works with local and regional projects and programs to promote local economies and coauthored Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which he says “outlines a yearlong attempt by our family to try and eat as close to home as possible.” Learn more about garlic, lettuce, and fruit crop production.! Organic disease control and soil biology will also be discussed with sessions on pollinators, community-supported agriculture, and vegetable garden tips. Speakers include Extension specialists, county Extension agents, and other UT experts. Jim Brown, of Honey Rock Herb Farm in Louisville, Tennessee, will also be sharing his experiences with herb cultivation. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with refreshments exhibit tent open. Morning session will kick-off at 10 a.m. repeating in the afternoon. The day closes with a 45-minute question-and-answer session featuring all presenters. The event will be held at the Organic Crops Unit of the UT East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, located at 7315 Government Farm Road in Knoxville. The Organic Crops Field Tour occurs only every 18 months on the UTIA Field Day calendar, rotating from spring to fall, so producers interested in organic production are encouraged to attend. Register HERE. Preregistration is $10. Registration forms can also be downloaded and mailed, but must be postmarked by April 15 to receive the discounted preregistration rate. All registrations postmarked after April 15 and onsite registrations are $15. The cost of registration includes a catered lunch by the popular Knoxville restaurant, The Tomato Head. Click HERE for more information! |
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